‘No Non-Lethal Strategy on Borders’

Indicating a hardline approach in dealing with smuggling along the India-Bangladesh border, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here that there was no such thing as a “non-lethal strategy” in place for the Border Security Force (BSF).

“There is nothing like a non-lethal strategy. What is paramount is that our border needs to be protected. I cannot allow [a situation in which] the jawans are attacked and they cannot fire in self-defense,” Mr. Singh.

During the United Progressive Alliance government’s rule, the BSF was asked to adopt a “non-lethal strategy” on the eastern border.

The instruction was issued soon after reports of killings of Indian and Bangladeshi nationals by the BSF surfaced.

Those killed were allegedly trying to smuggle goods or illegally cross the border.

Singh said friendly ties with Bangladesh could not be at the cost of jawans’ lives.

Singh said the BSF had successfully reduced cattle smuggling. “In the past three to four months, there has been a decline in cattle smuggling. The prices of beef in Bangladesh have, therefore, increased by over 30 per cent.”

The Home Minister said the government was expecting in a month a report of the review committee set up to tackle issues like cattle smuggling and fake Indian currency along the India-Bangladesh border.

He stressed on the need for more floating BOPs to monitor the riverine borders and increased fencing along the border.